Investigation of genes controlling reprogramming during stem cell formation in rice

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K14446
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 39010:Science in plant genetics and breeding-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Nosaka-T Misuzu (野坂実鈴) 国立遺伝学研究所, ゲノム・進化研究系, 助教 (20738091)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 茎頂分裂組織 / 幹細胞 / イネ / 再分化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To investigate factors controlling reprogramming during stem cell formation in rice, we compared the gene expression of the wild-type embryos and the mutant embryos lacking shoot apical meristem including stem cells. As a result, we detected 24 genes encoding transcription factors as candidates of factors controlling reprogramming during shoot apical meristem formation in rice embryogenesis. We confirmed that these factors were expressed in the embryo during shoot apical meristem formation. These factors included well-known genes acting in shoot apical meristem formation in Arabidopsis, maize, and rice. We also found several new factors related to reprogramming during shoot apical meristem formation in rice embryogenesis.

Free Research Field

植物遺伝育種学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究はイネのリプログラミングの遺伝子スイッチとして幹細胞化を正に制御する因子を探索した結果、イネ胚の地上部幹細胞の形成過程において24個の幹細胞化を正に制御する遺伝子候補を見出した。これらの遺伝子を活用することで、植物培養における植物細胞の再分化の高効率化に寄与することが予想され、遺伝子組換えが難しい作物への利用など育種分野への貢献が期待される。